Jumpolene game

ABSTRACT

A jumpolene recreational apparatus type game consisting of a trampolene having a generally rectangular frame and a trampolene bed within the frame and connected to the sides and ends of the frame by a plurality of spaced resilient connectors each under tension to yieldingly hold the bed in a tightly stretched position relative to the frame, the frame having adjustable legs spaced thereabout to support the frame above the ground with the legs being adjustable to control both the height of the frame above the ground and the inclination of the frame relative to the ground, a sloped runway leading up to the front end of the frame with the elevated portion of the runway nearest the front end of the frame, and a longitudinally extending jumping mat disposed on the opposite end of the frame with one end thereof adjacent the rear end of the frame with the mat projecting longitudinally outwardly therefrom and marked off by transversely extending lines to indicate relative distances from the rear end of the trampolene frame.

United States Patent [1 1 Lee [451 Sept. 24, 1974 JUMPOLENE GAME [76]Inventor: Jay H. Lee, 112 S. Bolmar St, West Chester, Pa. 19380 [22]Filed: May 7, 1973 [21] Appl. N0.: 358,151

Primary Examiner-Richard C. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Joseph R. Taylor[57] ABSTRACT A jumpolene recreational apparatus type game consisting ofa trampolene having a generally rectangular frame and a trampolene bedwithin the frame and connected to the sides and ends of the frame by aplurality of spaced resilient connectors each under tension toyieldingly hold the bed in a tightly stretched position relative to theframe, the frame having adjustable legs spaced thereabout to support theframe above the ground with the legs being adjustable to control boththe height of the frame above the ground and the inclination of theframe relative to the ground, a sloped runway leading up to the frontend of the frame with the elevated portion of the runway nearest thefront end of the frame, and a longitudinally extending jumping matdisposed on the opposite end of the frame with one end thereof adjacentthe rear end of the frame with the mat projecting longitudinallyoutwardly therefrom and marked off by transversely extending lines toindicate relative distances from the rear end of the trampolene frame.

8 Claims, 5 Drawing Figures JUMPOLENE GAME BACKGROUND OF THEINVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates generally torecreational apparatus and more particularly to a novel jumpolene gameutilizing a novel jumping tranpolene having a runway associated with oneend and a jumping mat disposed relative to the opposite end providing anovel combination jumping game.

2. Description of the Prior Art There has long been in use trampolenesand other types of jumping devices normally utilized by acrobats and thelike in performing a series of feats thereon, but such have always posedthe danger of injury to one not skilled with the same upon jumpingthereon with associated loss of equilibrium and risk of bodily injuryupon striking the frame or supporting springs of the trampolene or net.Thus, while most individuals enjoy jumping on a trampolene, only a veryfew attempt to do stunts or tricks thereon, but even to just jump on thetrampolene device poses risk of bodily harm if equilibrium is lost.

In addition, prior art type of trampolene recreational devices are quiteexpensive, require excessively large storage spaces, and are difficultto set up for usage.

Running type games of numerous types and styles are known in the priorart, and such have always proved popular with individuals of all ages,with such prior art running games suffering the problem of requiringexcessively large free areas for playing the same.

Another type of game which has always proven quite popular is a jumpingtype game where players pit their relative skills against one another todetermine who can jump either the furthest or the highest.

Thus, prior art running games, jumping games, and trampolene using gamessuffer many problems and difficulties as to the space required forplaying, the equipment required, and the like. It would thus bepreferable to provide a game utilizing the skills of running, jumping,and trampolene in a manner readily available at a reasonable cost to allindividuals while requiring a minimum of playing space.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention remedies and overcomesall of the foregoing deficiencies and disadvantages of presentlyavailable games by providing a novel trampolene game employing running,free jumping, trampolene propelled soaring and jumping, and landing on aresilient jumping mat in manner providing the exhilaration of runningand soaring with all of the associated physical benefits therewith.

It is a feature of the present invention to provide an individual sizedtrampolene for jumping thereon in a manner to propell the jumperupwardly and forwardly therefrom a distance depending upon the skill andphysical dexterity of the jumper.

A further feature of the present invention provides a sloping runwayhaving the trampolene device attached to the elevated end thereof sothat a jumper may run up the runway to a foul line marked thereon, andjump therefrom onto the trampolene in a manner to rebound upwardly fromthe trampolene in a soaring manner for landing in a predetermined area.

Still a further feature of the present invention provides a jumpolenegame utilizing a trampolene type device with the supporting legs thereofadapted for adjusting the inclination of the trampolene bed relative tothe ground to assist in directing the rebound forces acting on a jumperwho jumps on a trampolene bed.

Yet still a further feature of the present invention provides ajumpolene game utilizing a trampolene type device adapted for securementto a runway for safety purposes to assure no movement of the trampolenedevice upon being jumped upon by a jumper.

The provision of a jumpolene game, such as briefly outlined above, andpossessing the stated advantages, constitutes the principal features ofthe present invention. The provision of a jumpolene game which is simplein its construction and which therefore may be readily manufactured atlow cost by simple manufacturing methods; one which is rugged anddurable and which therefore may be guaranteed by the manufacturer towithstand rough usage; one which is aesthetically pleasing and refinedin appearance; one which may, in its entirety, be manufactured and soldas a single game unit, or which may be sold as replacement componentsfor a game unit previously purchased wherein one of the componentsrequires replacement; and one which, otherwise, is well adapted toperform the services required of it, are further desirable featureswhich have been borne in mind in the production and development of thepresent invention.

Other features and advantages of this invention will be apparent duringthe course of the following description.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the accompanying drawings forming apart of this specification, and in which like reference characters areemployed to designate like parts throughout the same:

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a jumpolene game according to thepresent invention;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary side elevational view of the jumpolene game ofFIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary top plan view of the jumpolene game of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged fragmentary side elevational view taken along Line44 of FIG. 3; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged perspective view of one of the brackets adaptedfor securing the trampolene frame .to the adjacent end of the runway.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings indetail there is illustrated a preferred form of a jumpolene game inaccord with the invention and which is comprised of three componentparts, namely a sloped runway 11, a tram polene device 12 disposedadjacent one end of the runway, and a jumping mat 13 disposed adjacentthe opposite end of the trampolene device.

The runway 11 is about 15 feet long and about 5 feet wideand is adaptedto rest on the ground 10. The runway is manufactured out of metal, wood,plastic, or any other suitable satisfactory material providing anaesthetically pleasing and refined appearance. The-runway 11 includestapered longitudinally extending transversely opposed parallel sideedges 21, a sloping top surface running board 22 supported on the sideedges,

a front end 23 disposed furthest from the trampolene device 12 where therunning board touches or approximately touches the ground 10, and anelevated end 24 disposed adjacent the trampolene device. A foul line 25transversely extends across a portion of the elevated part of therunning board 22, the use of which will be described hereafter. Atransversely extending longitudinally disposed compartment 26 is definedin the elevated end 24 of runway 11 with a pair of transversely spacedthreaded studs 27 projecting downwardly from running board 22 intocompartment 26 with each stud having a nut 28 threadedly securedthereon.

A pair of substantially flat longitudinally extending brackets 31 areprovided, each bracket having a longitudinally extending slot 32 in theforward end thereof and a longitudinally extending slot 33 in therearward end thereof. Each bracket 31 is associated with one of thestuds 27 with the slot 32 being of a width greater than the diameter ofthe stud to be received therearound, but being of of a lesser width thanthe outside diameter of the nut 28 such that the brackets 31 may befixed to the runway 11 by inserting slots 32 about their respectivestuds 27 in a position interposed between respective nut 28 on thebottom side and running board 22 on the top side with the bracketprojecting longitudinally outwardly from compartment 26 with nuts 28being tightened to secure the brackets firmly in position onto therunway 11. I

The trampolene device 12 consists of a rectangular frame 41 and acircular substantially flat trampolene bed 42 about feet in diameterdisposed within the frame and connected to the opposed sides 43 and 44and the opposed ends 45 and 46 of the frame by a plurality of spacedresilient connectors 47, such as coiled springs or the like, each havingone end connected to the frame and the opposite end connected to thetrampolene bed, with each of the resilient connectors being undertension to yieldingly hold the trampolene bed by a jumper thereon, withsubsequent upward directed rebounding movement to throw the jumperupwardly therefrom. The trampolene bed 42 may be made of perforatedsheet material, interlaced webbing, one piece woven material, metal,wood, plastic, or of any other suitable satisfactory material.

Disposed relative to each corner of the frame 41 is a supporting legassembly generally designated in its entirety by reference numeral 51which is comprised of two component parts, namely a first member 52having one end 53 attached to the bottom surface of frame 41 with themember extending downwardly and outwardly at an angle therefromterminating at free end 54, and a second member 55 received over end 54and onto first member 52 in a telescoping manner having an end 56nearest the frame 41 with an opposite free end 57 having a foot likemember 58 secured thereto and adapted for engaging and resting on theground 10. Tubular member 52 is provided with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending holes 61 therein, withtubular member 55 being similarly provided with a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending holes 62 therein, the axisof holes 62 being parallel to the axis of holes 61 so that any selectedhole 61 may be axially aligned with any selected hole 62. .Each of thelegs 51 are adjusted to the desired length for supporting frame 41 in amanner as will be discussed hereafterby aligning a selected hole 61 witha selected hole 62 and retaining such alignment by passing a bolt 63therethrough and securing the same by a nut or the like (not shown) tolock the leg assembly 51 in the desired length.

The trampolene device 12 is secured to the runway 11 by a pair ofthreaded studs 71 which are transversely spaced apart and projectdownwardly from the front end 45 of the frame 41, the transverse spacingbetween studs 71 being substantially identical to the transverse spacingbetween studs 27 of runway 11 such that slots 33 of brackets 31 are eachreceived about a respective stud 71 and secured thereto by a respectivewing nut or bolt 72 and washer arrangement 73.

The jumping mat 13 is about 15 to 20 feet long and about 5 feet wide andis of a substantially uniform thickness throughout its entire length.The jumping mat includes a top surface 81, longitudinally extendingtransversely spaced parallel side edge surfaces 82, a front end 83 to bedisposed adjacent the trampolene device 12, a rear edge 84 to bedisposed furthest from the trampolene device, and a bottom surface 85parallel to top surface 81 and adapted for resting on the ground 10. Thetop surface 81 is provided with a plurality of transversely extendingmarking lines 86 spaced approximately at 1 foot intervals for measuringthe distances therealong from the front end 83 to the back end 84.

Referring to FIG. 4, it is seen that frame 41 is preferably adjustedsuch that front end 45 is elevated a distance above ground 10approximately equal to the distance running board 22 is elevated aboveground 10 at runway end 24, with the frame 41 being inclined downwardlytherefrom in a direction towards the jumping mat 13 so that therebounding action of the trampolene device is in a forward directiontoward the jumping mat.

To play the game, a player runs along runway 11 up to foul line 25 andthen jumps therefrom onto the trampolene bed 42 in a manner toyieldingly flex the same downwardly, after which the trampolenebedsubsequently rebounds upwardly to throw the player upwardly andforwardly therefrom in a direction toward the jumping mat 13. The ideabeing for the player to jump as far forward onto the jumping mat aspossible in order to win the game. The foul line assures that allplayers leave the runway 11 at the same location, as should a playerstep onto or over the foul line the jump is then disqualified. The rulesof the jumpolene game are flexible as to the total number of foulspermitted each player before the player is declared out of the game, aswell as being flexible as to competing on the basis of each individualjump, or adding the total of two or more individual jumps, or anysimilar type scoring manner wherein the highest score or scores win. Afurther method of play would be that the players would alternate in turnwith the winner of the game being the first player who scores a total ofexactly 2l points, this being determined by totalling the length ofdifferent jumps with it being required'that the player total exactly 21points, no more or no less.

It is to be appreciated that by adjusting the legs 51 it is possible toselect the desired inclination of the frame 41 relative to the ground 10so that the most preferable angle of inclination can be obtained toassure'the maximum distance for a jump thereby increasing theexhilaration of soaring which makes jumping and throwing ones selfthrough the air appealing to individuals of all ages and physicalabilities. Further, by inclining the frame 41 in a direction toward thejumping mat, this provides a safety feature as the player is assured tobe propelled off of the trampolene bed 42 in a direction to land on thejumping mat 13 whereas without such an inclination the player must be ofsufficient skill and have sufficient forward momentum to direct himselfin the direction of the jumping mat after being propelled upwardly bythe trampolene bed 42. A player without having such sufficient skill orexperience, and without any inclination of the trampolene frame 41,could find himself being propelled sideways or at an angle to thejumping mat so as not to land on the same.

There is thus provided in the present invention a jumpolene gameutilizing the skills of running, jumping, soaring, and landing thusproviding a novel game appealing both to individuals as a family game aswell as to those individuals which are athletic and completitivelyminded.

It is to be understood that the form of this invention herewith shownand described is to be taken as preferred examples of the same, and thatthis invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of partsshown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification asvarious changes in the details of construction as to shape, size, andarrangement of parts may be resorted to without departing from thespirit of the invention, the scope of the novel concepts thereof, or thescope of the sub-joined claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed 1. In arecreational apparatus, the combination comprising:

a trampolene having a generally rectangular frame and a trampolene bedwithin the frame and connected to the sides and ends of the frame by aplurality of spaced resilient connectors each under tension toyieldingly hold the bed in a tightly stretched position relative to theframe such that upon the downward movement of a player on the bed itwill flex downwardly with subsequent upwardly directed movement to throwa player upwardly;

a plurality of spaced apart adjustable legs extending downward from thetrampolene frame at spaced locations about the trampolene frame tosupport the frame above the ground;

means for selectively adjusting the legs to select both the height ofthe frame above the ground and the inclination of the frame relative tothe ground;

a sloped longitudinally extending runway disposed with the elevated baseportion thereof adjacent the front end of the trampolene frame andlocated at substantially the same height as the adjacent end of theframe, and with the apex portion thereof spaced furthest from the frame;and

a longitudinally extending jumping mat disposed with one end thereofadjacent the rear end of the frame and with the opposite end thereofspaced furthest from the frame, said jumping mat having indicia disposedthereon for indicating the relative distances therealong for determiningthe length of a players jump;

whereby a player runs up the runway, jumps onto the trampolene bed, andis propelled forwardly therefrom onto the jumping mat.

2. A trampolene game type recreational apparatus as claimed in claim 1further characterized by each adjustable leg having a first member and asecond member telescopically received by the respective first member,one end of each first member connected to the frame with the oppositefree end projecting downwardly and outwardly at an angle thereto, oneend of each second member received in a telescoping manner on the freeend of the associated first member with the opposite second member freeend adapted to engage the ground; a plurality of longitudinally spacedtransversely extending holes extending through the first and secondmembers; and a locking pin adapted for passing through one set of holesin the second member to adjust the overall longitudinal length of theleg and secure the first and second members together at the selected leglength.

3. A trampolene game type recreational apparatus as claimed in claim 2further characterized by the pair of legs adjacent the runway beingadjusted to a greater length than the pair of legs adjacent the jumpingmat such that the trampolene frame is inclined relative to the ground ina direction toward the jumping mat for propelling the player forwardlyonto the jumping mat.

4. A trampolene game recreational apparatus as claimed in claim 3further characterized by a bracket extending longitudinally between thefront end of the trampolene frame and the adjacent end of the runway andsecured by fastening means thereto for securing and aligning thetrampolene frame relative to the runway.

5. A trampolene game type of recreational apparatus as claimed in claim4 further characterized by the indicia on the jumping mat including aplurality of transversely extending lines thereon marking the relativedistances therealong from the rear end of the trampolene frame fordetermining the length of a players jump.

6. A trampolene game type of recreational apparatus as claimed in claim5 further characterized by a transversely extending line marked on therunway near the elevated base portion thereof representing a foul lineindicating the furthest point along the runway which a player can runbefore having to jump therefrom onto the trampolene bed without beingdisqualified.

7. In a recreational apparatus, the combination comprising:

a trampolene having a generally rectangular frame and a trampolene bedwithin the frame and connected to the sides and ends of the frame by aplurality of spaced resilient connectors each under tension toyieldingly hold the bed in a tightly stretched position relative to theframe such that upon the downward movement of a player on the bed itwill flex downwardly with subsequent upwardly directed movement to throwa player upwardly; sloped longitudinally extending runway disposed withthe elevated base portion thereof adjacent the front end of thetrampolene frame with the apex portion thereof spaced furthest from theframe;

a plurality of spaced apart adjustable legs extending downward from thetrampolene frame at spaced locations about the trampolene frame tosupport the frame above the ground and means for selectively adjustingthe legs to select both the height of the frame above the ground and theinclination of the frame relative to the ground, each adjustable leghaving a first member and a second member telescopically received by therespective first mem- I thereto, one end of each second member receivedin a telescoping manner on the free end of the associated first memberwith the opposite second member free end adapted to engage the ground; aplurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extend- 1 ing holesextending through the first and second members, and a locking pinadapted for passing through one set of holes in the second member toadjust the overall longitudinal length of the leg and secure the firstand second members together at the selected leg length, the pair of legsadjacent the runway being adjusted to a greater length than the pair oflegs adjacent the jumping mat such that the trampolene frame is inclinedrelative to the ground in a direction toward the jumping mat forpropelling a player forward onto the jumping mat; bracket meansextending between the front end of the frame and the adjacent end of therunway and secured thereto by fastening means for securing and aligningthe trampolene frame relative to the runway; and

a longitudinally extending jumping mat disposed with one end thereofadjacent the rear end of the frame and with the opposite end thereofspaced furthest from the frame, the jumping mat having a plurality oftransversely extending lines thereon marking the relative distancestherealong from the rear end of the trampolene frame for determining thelength of the jump of each player;

whereby a player runs up the runway, jumps onto the trampolene bed, andis propelled forwardly therefrom onto the jumping mat.

8. A trampolene game type of recreational apparatus as claimed in claim7 further characterized by a transversely extending line marked on therunway near the elevated base portion thereof representing a foul lineindicating the furthest point along the runway which a player can runbefore having to jump therefrom onto the trampolene bed without beingdisqualified.

1. In a recreational apparatus, the combination comprising: a trampolenehaving a generally rectangular frame and a trampolene bed within theframe and connected to the sides and ends of the frame by a plurality ofspaced resilient connectors each under tension to yieldingly hold thebed in a tightly stretched position relative to the frame such that uponthe downward movement of a player on the bed it will flex downwardlywith subsequent upwardly directed movement to throw a player upwardly; aplurality of spaced apart adjustable legs extending downward from thetrampolene frame at spaced locations about the trampolene frame tosupport the frame above the ground; means for selectively adjusting thelegs to select both the height of the frame above the ground and theinclination of the frame relative to the ground; a sloped longitudinallyextending runway disposed with the elevated base portion thereofadjacent the front end of the trampolene frame and located atsubstantially the same height as the adjacent end of the frame, and withthe apex portion thereof spaced furthest from the frame; and alongitudinally extending jumping mat disposed with one end thereofadjacent the rear end of the frame and with the opposite end thereofspaced furthest from the frame, said jumping mat having indicia disposedthereon for indicating the relative distances therealong for determiningthe length of a player''s jump; whereby a player runs up the runway,jumps onto the trampolene bed, and is propelled forwardly therefrom ontothe jumping mat.
 2. A trampolene game type recreational apparatus asclaimed in claim 1 further characterized by each adjustable leg having afirst member and a second member telescopically received by therespective first member, one end of each first member connected to theframe with the opposite free end projecting downwardly and outwardly atan angle thereto, one end of each second member received in atelescoping manner on the free end of the associated first member withthe opposite second member free end adapted to engage the ground; aplurality of longitudinally spaced transversely extending holesextending through the first and second members; and a locking pinadapted for passing through one set of holes in the second member toadjust the overall longitudinal length of the leg and secure the firstand second members together at the selected leg length.
 3. A trampolenegame type recreational apparatus as claimed in claim 2 furthercharacterized by the pair of legs adjacent the runway being adjusted toa greater length than the pair of legs adjacent the jumping mat suchthat the trampolene frame is inclined relative to the ground in adirection toward the jumping mat for propelling the player forwardlyonto the jumping mat.
 4. A trampolene game recreational apparatus asclaimed in claim 3 further characterized by a bracket extendinglongitudinally between the front end of the trampolene frame and theadjacent end of the runway and secured by fastening means thereto forsecuring and aligning the trampolene frame relative to the runway.
 5. Atrampolene game type of recreational apparatus as claimed in claim 4further characterized by the indicia on the jumping mat including aplurality of transversely extending lines thereon marking the relativedistances therealong from the rear end of the trampolene frame fordetermining the length of a players jump.
 6. A trampolene game type ofrecreational apparatus as claimed in claim 5 further characterized by atransversely extending line marked on the runway near the elevated baseportion thereof representing a foul line indicating the furthest pointalong the runway which a player can run before having to jump therefromonto the trampolene bed without being disqualified.
 7. In A recreationalapparatus, the combination comprising: a trampolene having a generallyrectangular frame and a trampolene bed within the frame and connected tothe sides and ends of the frame by a plurality of spaced resilientconnectors each under tension to yieldingly hold the bed in a tightlystretched position relative to the frame such that upon the downwardmovement of a player on the bed it will flex downwardly with subsequentupwardly directed movement to throw a player upwardly; a slopedlongitudinally extending runway disposed with the elevated base portionthereof adjacent the front end of the trampolene frame with the apexportion thereof spaced furthest from the frame; a plurality of spacedapart adjustable legs extending downward from the trampolene frame atspaced locations about the trampolene frame to support the frame abovethe ground and means for selectively adjusting the legs to select boththe height of the frame above the ground and the inclination of theframe relative to the ground, each adjustable leg having a first memberand a second member telescopically received by the respective firstmember, one end of each first member connected to the trampolene framewith the opposite free end projecting downwardly and outwardly at anangle thereto, one end of each second member received in a telescopingmanner on the free end of the associated first member with the oppositesecond member free end adapted to engage the ground; a plurality oflongitudinally spaced transversely extending holes extending through thefirst and second members, and a locking pin adapted for passing throughone set of holes in the second member to adjust the overall longitudinallength of the leg and secure the first and second members together atthe selected leg length, the pair of legs adjacent the runway beingadjusted to a greater length than the pair of legs adjacent the jumpingmat such that the trampolene frame is inclined relative to the ground ina direction toward the jumping mat for propelling a player forward ontothe jumping mat; bracket means extending between the front end of theframe and the adjacent end of the runway and secured thereto byfastening means for securing and aligning the trampolene frame relativeto the runway; and a longitudinally extending jumping mat disposed withone end thereof adjacent the rear end of the frame and with the oppositeend thereof spaced furthest from the frame, the jumping mat having aplurality of transversely extending lines thereon marking the relativedistances therealong from the rear end of the trampolene frame fordetermining the length of the jump of each player; whereby a player runsup the runway, jumps onto the trampolene bed, and is propelled forwardlytherefrom onto the jumping mat.
 8. A trampolene game type ofrecreational apparatus as claimed in claim 7 further characterized by atransversely extending line marked on the runway near the elevated baseportion thereof representing a foul line indicating the furthest pointalong the runway which a player can run before having to jump therefromonto the trampolene bed without being disqualified.